Record changer



Oct. 12, 1943. w. J. FAULKNER v 2,331,383

RECORD CHANGER Filed May 17, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. w/u A rep JFAUZAA/f/E j n 7 BY ML! Oct. 12, 1943- w. J. FAULKNER RECORD CHANGER Filed May 17, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 12, 1943. w. J. FAULKNER 2,331,383

RECORD CHANGER Filed May 17, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTUR. W/ZZA/ED CZ'F'AUt/(NEP BY /5 W Oct. 12, 1943. w. J. FAULKNER 2,331,383

RECORD CHANGER Filed May 17, 1941 6 Sheets+Sheet 4 INVENTOR. w/zz A 722 .7 FAUlk/Vt'h Oct, 12, 1943. w. J. FAULKNER 2,331,333

RECORD CHANGER Filed May 17, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. W/ZZ'A/ED IFAUZAA/ffi R E N K L u A F .lm w

RECORD CHANGER Filed May 17, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 m w w m Patented Oct. 12, 1943 RECORD CHANGER Willard J. Faulkner, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Advance Engineering Company, Chicago, Ill., a partnership comprising K. D. Turner, John Huarisa, L. 0. Parks, and J. H. Clippinger Application May 17, 1941, Serial No. 393,984

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic record changing mechanisms, and more particularly to a type of record changer wherein the records are played on one side only, being stacked above the turnable and supported in that position by a support substantially in the center of the record and by at least one other supporting point on the periphery thereof. It applies particularly to a type of mechanism in which records are dropped one at a time into playing position on a turntable by moving the lowermost stacked record laterally, the released record being guided-to the center of the turntable by a record guiding spindle.

The movement of the record is very similar to that shown in the copending record changer patent application of Arnold W. Leline, Serial No. 375,179, filed January 21, 1941. The center spindle is similar and operates in substantially the same manner as the device shown by said Leline application, and also as shown in the copending application of Willard J. Faulkner, Serial No. 380,248, filed February 24, 1941.

Although record changers of the described type are well known, there have been many disadvantages incorporated therein which it is the purpose of this invention to overcome. In general, these changers have been quite complicated, require a considerable number of die-cast pieces, and require a large volume of space to contain them. In view of the difliculty of obtaining diecast metals during world crises, the space requirements and complexity of the prior record changing mechanisms, a new, more simple, method of construction and operation has been devised.

Among the various disadvantages of the prior art record changing mechanisms has been the stop or trigger mechanism which initiated the record changing mechanism. Very often these prior mechanisms were ineffective in operating the release mechanism due to the particular design of stopping or lead-out groove which caused the device to automatically go through the record changing cycle. This necessitated the manual playing of these types or makes of records.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved record changer which is simple to construct, light in weight, and does not require a great volume of space for housing the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide a record changer which has a minimum number of moving parts, operable either during the record playing or record changing cycles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a record changing mechanism which, for the most part, can be constructed of materials which can be shaped or formed in a punch press and which requires no die-cast pieces.

Another object of this invention is to provide a record changer mechanism wherein the time consumed for changing the records between playing cycles is greatly reduced.

Another object of this invention is to provide a, record changer mechanism which is rugged, has a minimum number of adjustments and is not easily thrown-out of adjustment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a record changer which may be quickly, easily and simply adjusted to play records of different sizes.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a record changing mechanism which will operate automatically with any type of lead-ou or stopping groove on the record.

These and other objects of invention including those of ease in manufacture, economy in construction, simplicity in adjustment, as well as the invention itself, will become more apparent from the following description, which is illus trated by the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the record changing mechanism constituting the invention, some parts being broken away to show more clearly certain other parts below, certain otherwise hidden parts being indicated by dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the record chan ing mechanism shown in Fig. 1 taken along the line 2-2 thereof, certain parts being shown in elevation, and others omitted;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the removable center spindle;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the removable center spindle shown in Fig. 3, but rotated through in a counterclockwise direction;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the center bearing taken along the line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the bottom bearing and spindle support bracket taken from a. plane indicated by the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the side record support post taken along section 'l'l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view of the side record support taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section of the side support taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the pickup arm assembly taken along the line Ill-I of Fig. l, the arm, however, being rotated so that it falls along the plane through the center post;

Figs. 11 and 12 are a top plan and side elevational views respectively of the ejector slide;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the record changing mechanism below the turntable level with the frame and motor removed. In this view the mechanism is shown set for playing ten-inch records as it would be positioned at the start of the record playing cycle;

Fig. 14 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 13, but set for playing twelve-inch records;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 13 except the mechanism is shown at the moment the trip mechanism starts the changing cycle;

Fig. 16 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 13 except the mechanism is shown at the moment after the record change has occurred and the pickup control mechanism is not yet in position to place the pickup on the edge of the record;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the lines l'I-II of Fig. 1;

Figs. 18 and 19 are bottom plan views of the pickup control levers showing the different relative positions taken therein and with a portion of the slide bar shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the end of the slide bar showing the brake used to restrict the movement of the levers of Figs. 18 and 19;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a part of the linkage used to trip the record changing mechanism; and

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the velocity trip mechanism showing a modified form.

In the drawings, like parts have been designated with like reference characters.

Briefly, the invention includes a supporting frame or bed upon which the entire mechanism is mounted, a turntable is provided for rotating the records and may be rim driven; the record changing is effected by an ecoentrically mounted wheel, normally held out of engagement with a friction drive wheel fastened to the turntable shaft which rotates upon engagement therewith for effecting the record changing operations; the eccentric wheel is carried by a slide member and causes the slide member to move when the eccentric wheel is engaged with the friction wheel. The slide member is mechanically linked to the various parts of the changer to cause the pickup arm to be lifted off of the record and swung laterally to one side, after which a new record is released. The pickup arm is then returned and lowered to its proper point on the edge of the record. Trip means is provided linked with the pickup arm to cause the eccentric friction wheel to engage with the spindle wheel. Means is provided in the form of a mechanical linkage which may be manually controlled for the playing of either twelve or ten inch records, said means definitely determining the return position of the pickup arm so that it is properly positioned for playing either ten inch or twelve inch records. Means is also provided for quickly removing the played records from the turntable.

More specifically, as best shown in Fig. 2, the apparatus comprises a generally rectangular mounting plate or bed frame 20 formed of pressed metal and having its edge terminating in a downwardly extending peripheral flange 2I'; the

intermediate portion is formed with a downwardly pressed turntable recess 22 in which the turntable is partially disposed. Upwardly extending pickup arm and record support posts 23 and 24 are integrally welded to the base plate. The frame 20 forms the base or mounting plate for the entire record changing mechanism, thereby holding together the various components to form one integral assembly unit. This frame may be mounted in a suitable cabinet.

A turntable 25 is provided and is seated on a hollow spindle 26 which is in turn rotatably journalled in a top bearing 21, Fig. 5, mounted on the frame 20 and a bottom bearing 28 supported in a sub-frame 29. The sub-frame (Fig. 6) comprises a generally rectangularly formed steel member 29 secured to the main frame 20 by means of three screws 30. In order to insure precise alignment of the bearings 21 and 28, two. half punches 3I are provided in the sub-frame which engage in two holes or recesses in the main frame. (See Figs. 5 and 6.) For holding the spindle against thrust movement and to reduce the friction caused by the weight of the records upon the turntable, a thrust bearing 32 is provided which rests on the top bearing 2'! surrounding the hdllow spindle 26. The turntable has a hub 33 which is telescoped over the protruding end of the hollow spindle and rests upon the top face of the thrust bearing. A washer 34 is disposed between the turntable hub and the top race of the thrust bearing for absorbing vibrations of the ballbearings and the surface of the raceway in the thrust bearing 32. This washer may be made of cork or other resilient material. A similar resilient washer is positioned below the lower thrust bearing raceway and the bearing 21. A metallic washer I82 is disposed between the cork washer 34 and the turntable hub 33; this washer carries the trip lug I83, hereinafter more fully described. The turntable is securely fastened to the hollow spindle by means of the conical nut 35 which is threaded on the hollow spindle 28 and holds the turntable hub and washer I82 against the shoulder on the spindle 25. The lower end of the sub-frame 29 has secured to its a bracket 31 which contains a D shaped hole 38 for receiving the record spindle (Fig. 6). To insure correct coaxial alignment of the D hole 38 with the opening through the hollow spindle 28, the two clearance holes in the bracket 31 through which the screws 40 extend are made sufliciently large to allow the adjustment of the bracket before they are tightened to hold the bracket in position.

The D shaped hole 38 is designed to receive the semi-cylindrical end H of the record spindle 42 V and holds the same against rotation but allows it to be easily removed and replaced in the same relative position.

The record. holding spindle 42, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, includes a lower straight cylindrical body portion 43 adapted to be slidably disposed in the bore of the hollow turntable spindle 26 and terminating in an end 4I adapted for locking engagement in the D shaped hole 38. The cylindrical portion extends upward slightly beyond the top of the hollow spindle where it is provided with an enlarged record guiding body portion 41 of substantially the same diameter as the end of the spindle 26. A shoulder 48 is provided adjacent the part H for engagement with the bottom bracket 31 and to hold the shoulder 44 formed at the junction of the body 41 with the part 43, out of engagement with the end of the hollow spindle 26. The body 41 is of gradually reduced diameter at 48, terminating in a ness of the stack of records to be played, additional room being allowed between the bottom of thestack of unplayed records, which rest on the head 49, and the last played record, which rests on the turntable, or above the turntable on the records that are guided by the body 41.

The spindle 42 terminates in an extension 59 of rectangular cross section for holding the stacked records which extends in prolongation of the spindle body, but is offset therefrom. In this respect the record-holding spindle differentiates from the structure of the aforementioned Faulkner application. The body is connected to the head 59 by a neck which is of a length equal in thickness to the thickest commercial ten inch or twelve inch record. The edge 52 of the neck 5| lies in the same plane with the edge of the head 59, while the edge 53 is a gation of the spindle body 41.

Thehead 50 of the spindle is provided with a means for holding the bottom-most record on plane in prolonthe flat head 49 and with the edge of the record hole in engagement with the edge 52 of the neck 5| in order to prevent accidental and premature discharge of the bottom-most record of the stack. This is accomplished by providing a U-shaped spring 56, the bight of which extends through a hole 54 in the upper end of the head portion 50 of the spindle 42. The ends of the spring 56 extend downwardly on both sides of the head following the contour of the surface 55 in spaced parallel relation to the neck surface 53 and ter minates below the level of the upwardly facing head 49. It is held in place by means of the clip 51 which isriveted or welded to the head. The spring may be pressed inwardly toward the neck portion 53 by the inside edge of the record to permit the record to slide laterally on the head 49 of the spindle until the hole in the record is coaxial with the periphery of the head 49 after which it drops down toward the turntable.

The spring 56 is of sufiicient resiliency so that it may be easily bent when the lowermost record is displaced, but still of suflicient stiffness to prevent accidental displacement thereof.

In operation, the centers of the stack of records are engaged at the periphery of the center hole by the head 50 while the lowermost stacked record rests upon the upwardly facing shoulder 49 but may he slipped laterally to the right, as viewed in Fig, 2, against the resiliency of the spring 56 and againstthe edge of the neck 53, after which it may fall over the shoulder and slide down the spindle 42 toward the turntable. The zone 48 of the spindle is of a reduced diameter which prevents the record from being wedged on the spindle when tilted. The weight of the stack of unplayed records on the head 49 is transmitted through the spindle 42 to the frame 31, thus preventing friction of the stationary record holding spindle with the rotating turntable spindle.

The turntable 25 may be driven in any suitable manner such as by a geared drive or belt drive connection to the hollow spindle 26 or the turntable 25. One preferred form, bot-h from the standpoint of smoothness of drive and economy, is provided by amotor 58 (shown in dotted outline in Fig. 1) which has 'a drive wheel 59 in frictional contact with a rubber rimmed wheel 66 which in turn is in frictional driving contact with the inside of the downwardly extending rim flange 6| of the turntable 25.

The rubber rimmed wheel 60 is held in slight frictional contact with the wheel 59 and the rim flange 6| by means of a light spring, not shown. The wheel 60 is placed in such a position with relation to the motor wheel 59 and the flange 6|. that it is pinched therebetween when the motor is powered to drive the system; thereby gaining good driving contact. By this method of mounting, flattened portions are prevented from being formed on the surface of the rubber rim by the drive wheel when the system is not in operation inasmuch as the force necessary for good driving friction is present only when the motor is turned on and the rubber rimmed wheel disengages itself when the motor power is removed.

The driving of the record changing mechanism is accomplished by an annular rubber ring 62 disposed on the hollow spindle 26 between the top bearing 2'! and the bottom bearing 28. This ring is adapted to contact with the upwardly formed flange 64 of the eccentrically mounted wheel 63 (see Figs. 1 and 17).

The eccentric wheel is mounted on a slide bar 69 and is adapted on rotation to reciprocate the slide bar which is slidably supported by the frame 20. The reciprocation of the slide bar causes the operation of the record changing mechanism.

The wheel 63 is provided with an eccentrically disposed hub 65 (Figs, 2 and 17) which is provided with two set screws 66 adapted to tighten the bushing on a shaft 61. The shaft 61 extends upwardly through a bearing 68 staked into a slide bar 69 at 68', and carries on its end a cam member 19. Thus the eccentric wheel 63 and cam member are rotatable together and the cam may be moved to start the rotation of the eccentric wheel.

The eccentric wheel is so mounted that it is normally out of driving relation with the drive ring 62 (Fig. 17), and when rotation of the wheel is started, by movement of the cam '19, it engages with the drive ring 62, which rotation continues for substantially one complete revolution. In carrying out this function the slide bar 69 is provided with an opening H of size sufficient to allow the hollow shaft 26, with the elements mounted thereon, to extend therethro-ugh. It also contains two longitudinally extending slots, one 72 in the eccentric wheel end, and the other 13 in the opposite end. 'The' slide bar is secured to the main frame by means of two shoulder screws 15 threaded into two spacers 15 which extendthrough the slots 12 and 13 (Fig. 17). The position and length of the slot 12 in the slide bar is determined to limit the travel of the bar, and it is normally, held in such a position that when theeccentric wheel is positioned with its shortest radius toward the ring 62, it is.just out of engagement with the rubber drive ring 62, which position is shown in Figs. 1, 13, 14, and 17. A coil spring 11 holds the slide bar in that position,

' i. e., in aposition which the end 18 of the slot 12 is held in contact with the shoulder portion of the screw 15. This is accomplished by stretching the spring 11 between the hole 89 on the slide bar 69 and the hole 8| on the main frame 20,

.detents upon the slide bar for engaging the spring.

A means to'be described later is provided for moving the cam 10 to urge the eccentric wheel out of its indexed position in the direction indicated by the arrow 84 (Figs. 13, 16), to cause the periphery 64 of the eccentric wheel 63 to engage the ring 52 on the hollow spindle 26. The wheel 03 is thereupon rotated by frictional engagement with said ring and, since it is eccentric, the slide bar member 69 is reciprocated longitudinally by the action of the eccentric wheel against the hollow spindle drive ring.

The eccentric wheel moves the slide and the slide is arranged to move the pickup over through its cycle, as well as to cause the changing of a record. The slide is of channel shape and is provided with a cam bracket on its inside upper surface which cam comprises a low fiat portion 81 on the slide whichinclines upwardly at 88 and terminates in a higher fiat portion 89.

The pickup arm 99 may be of the conventional type having a pickup cartridge, not shown, secured into its unsupported end. A record grooveengaging stylus is secured into the cartridge and the usual connections are made to the cartridge for the purpose of conducting electrical impulses into the amplifying apparatus. A bracket I05 is mounted on the end of the pickup arm by means of vibration-absorbing grommets I06, and is secured in place by means of two screws I01 which extend through the grommets and thread into the arm. The bracket is provided with two downwardly extending parallel flanges or sides I having aligned holes therein to accommodate a hinge pin I09 therethrough. A smaller bracket H0 is also hingedly. secured on the hinge pin I09. The bracket H0 has a bushing M0 by means of which it is adjustably secured to the top of a sleeve I02 by means of a setscrew III extending through the bushing and engaging the sleeve I02. Means is provided for relieving the pressure, due to the weight of the pickup and arm, on the record, and constitutes a spring I00 connected to a downwardly extending tab I00 on the bracket I05 and the part IIO. Means for controlling the elevation of the pickup arm is provided by an adjustable screw II2 which screw is threaded into the arm and held in adjusted position by the locking spring 2'. The pickup arm is raised by the shaft 88'which is slidably disposed in, and extends through, the sleeve I02, the bottom end of which engages the cam 88 on the slide bar 69, and the upper end of which engages the screw I I2.-

Upon reciprocation of the slide bar 09 in the direction of the arrow 95, the pickup raising-pin or shaft 86 being normally at rest on the lower flat portion 81 ofthe cam bracket is forced upward by contact with the inclined portion 88 until it comes to rest on the tophorizontal portion 89 of the cam bracket. (Fig. 10.) I

After the slide 69 lifts the pickup arm in the manner described, continued movement ofthe slide causes the arm to be swung. The swlnll l movement of the pickup arm is effected by the slide which contacts the lever mechanism "and I I3 on the bottom of the sleeve I02. These levers are so arranged that the slide causes the arm to be swung well beyond the edges of the records, after which a record is dropped and then the arm is returned to playing position on the dropped record. Rotation is accomplished through the lower end of the sleeve I02 which carries a bushing 91 to which is secured a lever 92. The lever mechanism comprising the levers 92 and H8 are connected to the sleeve I02, as described, the lever 92 rigidly, and the lever II3 rotatably journalled on the bushing and connected to the lever 92 by means of the spring Ill (see Figs. 18 and 19). This spring holds a lug II! on the lever 92 against the edge II8 of the lever Ill (Fig. 18). Movement of the lever mechanism is effected by the slide 69, the lug 9| of which contacts a lug 92 on the lever 92. The motion of the lever mechanism, and the lever 92, in swinging the arm outward, is positive. The lever Ill may be restrained or stopped in its rotation with the lever 92 because of the spring connection between the two. This, as will later be seen, is effective to index the return position of the pickup arm. Here it should be noted that because of the manner in which the pickup arm moves, the lever, i. e., lug 9|, engaging 92, that this move is positive only in one direction, and that when the slide returns the pickup arm lever mechanism is not positively returnedby the slide. This return movement is effected by the spring connection between the levers I I3 and 92. That is, when the slide starts to move the levers they move together until the edge II8 of the lever I I3 strikes a pin or lug II9 on the record size bar I20. The lever II3 then stops, and the slide 09 continues the movement of the part 92, causing the relative'movement between the now stopped lever I II and the lever 92, the spring lIl stretching and allowing such movement; the position then taken by the parts is best shown in Figs. 16 and 19. When the slide 69 returns, being pulled back by the spring I1, the lever 92 is pulled back by the spring H4 until the lug II! on the lever 92 engages the edge I I8 of the lever I I3. Further backward movement of the lever is restricted by friction between the bearing surfaces which is sumcient to prevent further movement of the pickup arm toward the center of the record.- In event this friction shall be found to be insuflicient a suitable brake may be supplied, connected to the slide bar and effective only during the time the arm is being swung. This constitutes a brake lever I I 5 (Fig. 20) slidably securedto the bottom of the slide bar 09 by means of screws extending through a longitudinally extending slot to per! mit relative longitudinal movement thereon and held by a spring Ilia.

It will beseen that the brake may be moved longitudinally outward of the bar. A brakeshoe I I 6 extends upward and is adapted to engage the,

during the swinging oi the lever and pickup arm, and to release the same during the playing of the record-to allow the pickup arm to swing fully.

When the pickup arm is swung free'of the record, the slidecontinues its movement and causes a new record to be ejected from the stack. This is accomplished by a lug 93 on the slide 69 which engages the downwardly extending end portion 94 of a lever 95 pivotally supported on the underside of the frame 20 at I6I, rotating the lever about its pivot. The other end of the lever 95 is connected to the shaft I of the ejector mechanism.

The ejector head and side support mechanism I33 is supported on top of the rectangular base plate I32 and includes an ejector slide I34 slidably disposed thereon. The body of the ejector slide is of generally rectangular formation (see Figs. 11 and 12) and has a pair of arms at thev opposite ends thereof, each of which extends laterally at I35 and vertically at I36. The outer edges of the upwardly extending portion inclined downwardly at I31, the purpose being to prevent the ejecting arms from slipping off the edge of the record.

Along the center line of the ejector slide and at one end is formed a square opening I38, the edges normal to the axis having upstanding flanges I39 (Fig. 11). The flanges are disposed for engaging with the edge of a cam I40 which comprises a circular disc eccentrically carried on the shaft I41 which in turn is rotatably disposed in the sleeve I3I (Fig. 8). Rotation of thecam I 40 by means of the shaft I4I reciprocates the ejector I34 on the rectangular plate.

The body of the ejector slide I34 is narrower crosswise than the base plate I32 and is held and guided on the platform by the head I42 which head not only supports the edge of the stack of records, but encloses the ejector mechanism on top of the rectangular plate.

The head comprises a substantially rectangular hollow body (Fig. 7) having downwardly extending lugs or bosses I43 which engage the plate I32 (Figs. 8 and 9) and extending between the arms I36 of the ejector. The inner sides of the lugs form a guide for the ejector slide I34. A downwardly extending flange I44 extends around the remainder of the head connecting the midsection to the bosses I43 which extend below the flange a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the ejector slide. The head is secured to the rectangular base plate by means of screws I45 which extend through the bottom of the rectangular platform into the threaded openings in said bosses. i

The head thus holds and guides the ejector on the rectangular mounting plate and allows the ejector slide to be easily reciprocated by the cam I40. The vertical arms I36 of the ejector slide extend up beside the edges of the head and slightly above the upper surfaces thereof (Fig. 7), the extension above the head being slightly less than the thickness of a standard ten inchrecord. The edge of the stack of records rests upon the portion of the head which extends toward the turntable (Fig. 2). The arms I36 of the ejector slide being in a position to engage the edge of the bottom-most record and still miss the record juxtaposed above.

Means is provided for steadying the stack of records and securely holding them against the platform and comprises a hollow boss I46 on the top of the head I42, which pivotally carries the yoke I41 having the end I48 which rests against the uppermost stored record. The yoke extends through the boss and is provided with a crank portion I49 to which is secured One end of a spring I50, the other end being secured to a pin I5I disposed below the boss. I

The head I42 is symmetrical to a plane passed through the center boss portion positioned at right angles to the line of motion of the slide, making two identical halves. It/ is eccentrically positionedwith respect to the sleeve I3I and is indexed into either of two positions one hundred and eighty degrees apart. The indexing means .comprises a pin I52 in the rectangular base plate I32 and two holes I53 in the side support post 24, for the accommodation of said pin. The head may be rotated into the proper position for playing ten inch records as shown in Fig. 1 which position places in the direction of the center post the portion of the head having the greatest length from the center of rotation, or it may be rotated to the opposite position, which position is used .for playing twelve inch records. This is accomplished by grasping the head and lifting it so as to disengage the pin from one of the holes and rotating it until the pin is coaxial with the opposite hole at which time the head is released. When the head is rotated the cam I28 is likewise rotated and being in engagement with the upturned portion I26 on bar I20 determines the position of the bar.

The cam I40 in the ejector head is rotated by the shaft I4I, as previously stated, the lower end of which has a lever I55 fastened thereto by means of a setscrew I56. The unsupported end of lever I55 has a stud I51 swaged into it. Over this stud the hole in one end of the link I58 is slipped. The opposite end of the said link I58 slips over a similar stud I59 in lever 95 and the two studs are drawn toward each other by means of a spring which spring serves to hold the link in place and to prevent its rattling. Thus by means of lever 95 (whose motion is determined by the slide 69) rotating around pivot I6I fastened into the base 20 through the link I58, lever I55, shaft I29, and cam I40, the record ejector slide is reciprocated during the record changing cycle.

Continued rotation of the eccentric wheel 63 brings it to a point where the maximum radius lies between the hollow spindle shaft 26 and the shaft 61 of the eccentric wheel, which position is shown in Fig. 16. At this point the reciprocation of the slide bar 69 ceases in the direction of the arrow and starts through the action of spring 11 into motion in the opposite direction. Continued motion of the slide bar in this new direction causes the lug 98 to engage the portion 94 of lever 95, which movement is communicated to the ejector I34, the arms I36 of which are now under the records of the stack, to cause the ejector slide to be retracted and allow the next record to drop down where it is ready for engagement with the ejector. During the return movement of the slide 69 the lug 9| on the near end of the slide allows lever 92 to return against the action of the spring II4 to the point where tab II1 of lever 92 engages portion II8 of lever II3. This causes the pickup lever to return to playing. position over the outside record groove. After this has occurred the pickup raising pin 86 is lowered through its sliding action against the incline 88 to its rest position on the portion 81 of the inclined bracket. At the same time, the eccentric wheel is rotated until it disengages 2,ss1,sas

from the drive wheel and isindexed in a nonengaging rest position.

The record sizelever H3 contains one surface IIO shown in Fig. 12 engaging head IIO of size selecting bar I20. when the bar I20 is in position as shown in Fig.- 13, levers H3 and 02' can a be rotated until the point -I2I on II3 contacts head IIO on lever I20 which position is adapted for playing ten inch records.

The record size selecting bar I is adapted to slide on the bed and is fastened thereto by means I of shoulder rivets I23 which extend through the two slotted holes I22 in the bar and are fastened to the bed 20. This bar is held against a camv I spring by means of a camI20. The cam I20 (Fig. 7) is iastened to a sleeve I3I which extends upwardly through the holel20 in the base frame 20 and through a hole I30 in the support 20, and is secured to the rec-. tangular base plate I32 *0! the ejector head, which rests on top of the support. 7

. by means of spring I20 secured to the bar I20 and to the base frame 20, but may be moved in the opposite direction against the force of the The mechanism which starts the eccentric wheel 03 and causes it to engage with the ring 02 on the hollow spindle is sometimes referred to as a differential or velocity stop mechanism. It-

is adapted to be set into operation by means of I the pick-up arm 00.

During the record'playing, part of the cycle, lever H3 is rotated clockwise as viewed in Figs. 13 and 16 through the action of the pickup arm following the record groove. This motion is communicated to the sleeve I02 through the bracket grommets I06, hinge members I05, I00 and,II9, and the contact ofthe upstanling ear II] on lever 02 with the member H3. The rotation of.

lever, H3 is communicated'to link I04, the link I I64 being connected by stud I63 to lever II3, to pull thelink causing -a stud I65 at the opposite end of the link to be moved (see Fig. 21). 1 Stud I65 slides in a slot I66 in a sector I61 until the stud contacts the end of the slot. At this point,

continued rotation of lever 3' causes the link II I to pull the sector I01 which revolve around its supporting shaft I00, which shaft supports sector I61 and a lever I10 and is fastened into the base 20. The leverv I10 is also caused to be revolved with sector I01 through the action of a friction spring I68 adiustably carried by the lever I10 and which engages with the upper surface of brings downwardly formed ta-b I10 against up-,

wardly: extending lug I00 on cam 10. By this motion the lug I80 causes the eccentric wheel to move,,whei'eupon it engages with the ring 02 which continues the rotation of the eccentric wheel for one complete revolution to cause the device to go through its change cycle. A pin III secured to the bar 20 limits the movement of the to engage withthe lug 212 on the dog 213. The dog 213 is pivotally supported at 214 on the slide and held in spring-pressed engagement bya spring 215 against the-cam. A spring 210 connects to a pin 211-on the cam and at 210 on the slide, urging the cam and wheel in a counterclockwise direction.

In operation the lug I03 on the turntable spindle rotates into contact with the bumper I12 on the lever I12. The lug I10 on the lever I12 hits the upstanding lug 210 on the end of the dog 213 moving the dog and lug 212 out of engagement with the lug'21I on the cam. The spring then rotates the cam and the eccentric wheel into engagement with the drive ring on the spindle. The eccentric wheel moves through its cycle and is'finally stopped by the engagement of the-lug 2". on the cam with the lug 212 on the dog, the spring21i then holding the cam'in'position with theeccentric wheel out of "driving-engagement with the spindle until the next cycle starts.

best shown I size bar is'adjustable totwo positions by the cam I28 and jeachof these positions determines the return position .ofthe pickup arm playing either ten inch or twelve inch" records. In the position shown in Fig. 13,- when' the pickup arm is swung outward by means of the slide 00 engaging the leve'r02, which is connected to the lever III by the spring I, the lever H3 is restrained in its movementbythe edge II8 contantin'gwith the lug Us on the 'recordisize bar. This stops the lever II3-but' allows the slide bar to continue the movementof the lever 02, as best shown in Figs.

Swinging of the lever I10 urges rubber bumper I12 in a direction toward the turntable spindle and the lug I03 rotating therewith. If the inward motion of. the rubber bumper is small, lug I03 strikes the bumper I12 substantially tangent thereto such thatthe vector forces are substantially longitudinal of the member I12, and moves it, together with the lever I10, away from the spindle of the turntable. The lever may move relative tothe sector because of the friction spring connection therebetween. When the motion of the lever I10 15 sufllcient to cause the rubber bumper I12 to be 'moved well into the path moving easilyduring the movement thereof by 16, 18 and i9, to allow the pickup arm to; be swung well beyond the edge of the turntable and any record that may be thereon, after which the record from the stack is dropped. When the slide bar 69 is returned by the spring 11 the lever 92 is rotated by the spring N0, the lever being held. by contact with the lug II! on the bar I20 I until the lug II1 contacts the edge of the lever I I'3.-Y Inasmuch as theslide bar movement is positive' in only one direction, the slide bar may return to its normal position, leaving these levers I I3 and I I4 in the position shown in Fig. 13. The frictional means for preventing the levers from the slide bar has been previously described. It should be noted that after the pickup arm has in Figs. 13 and 14, the record I been lowered onto the record, the brake means H6 is removed from contact with the levers 92 and H3, and they are now free to swing, being only held by the pickup arm.

In the position shown in Fig. 13, as previously shown, the pickup arm is in position to be lowered onto a ten inch record. If the slide bar is moved to the position shown in Fig. 14, the cam I28 being rotated substantially 180, then the lug H9 is positioned opposite the step I2I on the lever H3, which allows the lever H3 to be moved several degrees further than is shown in Fig. 13, which distance represents the larger radius of the twelve inch record. The movement of the pickup arm beyond the edge of the turntable is otherwise the same, the only difference being that the lever H3 is now indexed so that when the pickup arm is returned toward the turntable through the'agency of the lever 92 and spring H4, it is in a position to be dropped into the start ofthe record grooves of the twelve inch record.

A switch means and a rejecting means are combined in a single knob I85 located on the corner of the frame 20. The knob is fastened to the switch I81 through the shaft I86. To this shaft is also fastened the lever member I88 which through the connecting pin I89 is connected to reject rod I90 (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 13). Rotation of the shaft I86 in a counterclockwise direction moves the end of rod I90 against the upstanding end I9I of lever H3 and rotates it clockwise. This action is communicated through the link I64, as just described, and causes the changer to go through the record changing cycle.

Having described the action of the individual components of the automatic record changer which forms one embodiment of this invention, the following summary of operation has been written to tie together their operation.

In playing the record changer, the spindle 42 is dropped into the bore of the hollow spindle shaft 26 and the lower or flattened portion 4| thereof is engaged with D hole 38 in the bracket 31 preventing rotation thereon. The record side "support head I42 is rotated to conform to the size of records being played; a group of records are then slipped over the end of spindle 59 and the lowermost record brought to rest at the center on the upward facing shoulder or head 49 and on the side support. The motor is turned on and either the pickup arm 99 is moved toward the center post and released, or the reject knob is turned to the reject position. This initiates the eccentric wheel which operates the changing mechanism and causes the lowermost stacked record to be dropped onto the turntable and the pickup arm with the record groove following stylus to be lowered onto the edge of the record. The stylus follows the groove in the record rotating the pickup arm around the pickup support post 23 and hence the hollow sleeve I02. The hollow sleeve being joined to the lever member 92 causes it to rotate moving with it lever member H3. This motion of lever II 3 is communicated to the sector I61 and thence to the lever I10. During the first period of playing, the rotation of lever H3 is insufficient to cause the sector I61 to rotate since the stud I65 merely slides in the slot I66 After this portion of the record has been played, stud member I65 contacts the ends I68 of the slot I66 causing sector I61 to be rotated. Through the action of the friction spring I68, operating on the top of the sector, the lever member I10 is rotated in the same direction.

, While the record is being played the distance traveled by the lever arm I10 15 just sufficient to cause the lug I83 rotating around the turntable spindle to strike the end of the rubber bumper I12 moving back the lever I10 against the friction of the spring I68. When, however, the record groove following stylus engages the carry out grooves near the center of the record, 1. e., grooves which are of greater pitch than the playing grooves or are eccentrically placed, the rubber bumper I12 is struck on its side by the lug I83. This striking action causes lever I12 to rotate away from its stop tab 203 around the bearing I11 against the action of the spring 202, causing the downwardly formed portion I19 thereof, to strike the lug I on the cam 10, rotating the cam and the eccentric wheel 63 out of its indexed position and causing the wheel to engage with the rubber friction ring 62 on hollow spindle 26. Rotation of the eccentrically mounted wheel is continued so long as ring 62 and the wheel are in contact. Continued rotation of this wheel causes the slide bar 69 to be moved to allow the increasing diameter of the eccentric to pass between the two shafts. As the slide bar 69 is moved, the inclined bracket 88 is moved with it and pickup raising pin 8.6 is raised to contact screw head H2 in pickup arm 99. Continued motion of the eccentric wheel forces the pin 86 against screw I I2, lifting record groove following stylus out of the grooves. As the rotation of the eccentric continues still further, slide bar is moved so that the portion 9| of the slide bar 69 strikes edge of lever 92 rotatingthe pickup arm away from the center of the record.

The rotation of pickup arm rotating lever forces lever H3 .to revolve with it through the action of spring H4. ,This rotation is communicated through the link I64, the stud I65 sliding in the slot I66 until it reaches the end, after which the sector I6! is rotated and the lever I10 is forced against the top pin I BI, slipping the friction spring on the top of sector I61. During this time, lug 93 on the slide bar 69 contacts end 94 of the ejector opening lever 95, and rotating lever around pivot I6I. Rotation of lever causes link I55 to rotate shaft I4I, ejecting a record through the action of 'cam I40 and ejector slide I34. At this time the eccentric wheel has reached the point Where the maximum radius passes between the two rotating shafts. At this instant, the slide bar ceases its inward direction and starts its outward motion. In its outward motion lug 9I on the slide bar releases lever 92 and the action of the spring H4 swings the pick-up arm toward the edge of the record. Spring action continues until tab H1 contacts the side of lever H3.

It will be seen that the inward swinging of the pickup is determined by the position of lever H3 which in turn is determined by the position of the lever I20. Thus if lever I20 is moved outwardly against the action of spring I25, slide portion H8 will not contact upturned portion of lever I20,- but the stop I2I of lever H3 will strike upturned portion H9 instead. Since the position of this slide lever is determined by the position of the ejector head, the pickup will come to the playing edge of either a ten inch or a twelve inch record, depending on the portion of the ejector head. The continued outward motion of the slide bar 69 causes lug 98 to contact end 94 of lever 95, rotating the cam in the ejector head to its rest position and putting the ejector in position to engage the edge of the next record. The continued rotation of the eccentric wheel returns it to its indexed position, and in so doing the slide 69 returns and pin 86 slides down the incline allowing record groove following stylus to rest on the surface of the record. From this point the action of the machine continues in the same cycle until all of the stacked records have been released from the supporting spindle.

It will be seen that there has been provided a simple mechanism'adapted to carry out the objects of the invention, that the mechanism is simplified, economical in construction, rugged and has a minimum amount of adjustments.

After a study of the functions of the device it will be observed that there are a minimum numup arm, a turntable, a turntable spindle rotatably carried by the frame, and means for supporting a stack of records above the turntable including an ejector mechanism for ejecting records from the support onto the turntable; a record ejecting actuating means therefor including'a drive ring on said spindle, a member movably supported by the frame and having independent cam surfaces for engagement with said pickup arm support for raising the pickup arm and swinging the pickup arm, and a lever connected to the ejector mechanism and arranged to be operated by the member and means for moving said member comprising a rotatable cam carried by said member and adapted for engagement with said driving ring to cause said ring to rotate the cam and move said member, and means carried by said member and positioned for operative engagement with said record ejector lever to release a record onto said'turntable in timed relation to the movement of the pickup arm.

2. In a record changer having a frame, a pickup arm for operation with the records and a support for carrying said pickup arm, a turntable, a turntable spindle rotatably carried by the frame and a driving ring carried by said spindle, means for supporting a stack of records above the turntable including an ejector mechanism for ejecting records from said support onto the turntable; a record ejecting actuating means comprising a member slidably supported by the frame and having independent cam surfaces for engagement with said pickup arm support for raising the pickup arm and swinging the pickup arm, and a lever connected to the ejector mechanism and arranged to be operated by the member and means carried by said member for moving said member including a rotatable cam wheel adapted to be moved into engagement with said driving ring and said ring when engaged with said cam to cause the cam to rotate and slide said member,

and means carried by said slide member and positioned for operative engagement with said record ejecting means to release a record from said support onto said turntable in timed relation to the movement of the pickup arm.

3. In a record changer of the class described having a frame, a turntable spindle rotatably carried by the frame and a turntable disposed on said spindle, a pickup arm and means for supporting said pickup arm for universal movement on said frame, said pickup arm adapted to cooperate with a record on the turntable to reproduce sounds therefrom, means for supporting a stack of records above the turntable including a center support and a side support, said side support having means for ejecting records from the stack to cause them to be discharged from the center and side support and to fall onto the turntable; operating means for said record side support and pickup arm comprising a control member movably supported on said frame and having an eccentric member mounted on said control member for moving said control member when brought into driven engagement with the spindle; said control member being connected to the pickup arm support and arranged upon movement thereof to raisethe pickup arm support, a second cam means on said control member connected to the pickup arm for swinging said pickup arm to one side of the turntable and a third cam on said control member, and a lever connected to said side support and arranged to be moved by said third cam for operating said ejecting mechanism upon movement of said control member.

4. In a record changer of the class described having a frame, a hollow turntable spindle ro tatably carried by the frame and a turntable carried by said spindle, a pickup arm and means for supporting the arm on said frame, said arm adapted to cooperate with a record on the turntable to reproduce sounds therefrom, means for supporting a stack of records above the turntable including a center support and a side support, said side support having an ejector for ejecting records from the stack to cause them to fall onto the turntable; operating means for said ejector and pickup arm including a control member slidably supported on said frame and carrying an eccentric wheel adapted to be moved for cyclic driven connection with said spindle; cam means on said control member connected to the pickup arm support for raising the pickup arm on movementof the control member, a second cam means thereon connected to the pickup arm support arranged to swing said. pickup arm to one side of the turntable on movement of the control member, a lever connected to said ejector, a third cam means thereon arranged to contact said lever for operating said ejecting mechanism on movement of the control member, and means connected to the pickup arm and operable by the pickup arm to move said control member and said eccentric wheel into connection with the rotatable spindle to initiate the cyclic operation of said eccentric wheel.

5. In an automatic record changer of the class described having a turntable and a drive spindle therefor, a pickup arm, means for supporting a stack of records above the turntable including a stationary spindle for supporting the records at their centers and a side support for supporting them adjacent their edges, said support for the edges being disposed spaced from the turntable and containing an ejecting mechanism for ejecting the records from the side support and stationary spindle; means connected to the pickup arm and the side support for eflecting the ejection of .the records comprising a slide bar slidably supported below the turntable and a wheel eccentrically mounted thereon adjacent the turntable spindle, said slidable member adapted to support said wheel in normally spaced relation from said spindle, means connected to the pickup arm and operable by the pickup arm to move said eccentric wheel into driving engagement with said spindle, and means carried by the slide bar and connected to the pickup arm and controlled by said slide bar to raise the pickup arm and a second means controlled by the slide bar to swing the pickup arm beyond the edge of the turntable; a linkage connected to said ejector and slide bar and operable by said slide bar to operate said ejector to eject a record from the stack onto the turntable in timed relation to the movement of the pickup arm.

6. In a mechanism of the class described having a frame, a turntable rotatably carried by the frame on a spindle, a pickup arm for reproducing records on the turntable, means for supporting records above the turntable and including means for placing records on the turntable in playing position; means for raising, swinging, and lowering the pickup arm in timed relation to the deposition of records on the turntable comprising a member slidably supported below the turntable, means driven by said turntable spindle for moving said member cyclicly, means for supporting said pickup arm including a rotatable member connected to the arm and extending downward through the frame and near the slidable member,

a lever rotatably supported by said rotatable member and a second lever carried and held against relative rotatable movement by said rotatable member and spring means connecting said levers, said slide member having a projection for engagement with the second lever to rotate the same, said rotational movement being communicated to the rotatable lever through said spring.

'7. In a mechanism of the class described having a frame, a turntable rotatably carried by the frame, a pickup arm for reproducing records on the turntable, means for supporting records above the turntable and including means for placing records on the turntable in playing position; means for raising, swinging, and lowering the pickup arm in timed relation to the deposition of records on the turntable including a member slidably supported below the turntable on said frame, means for moving said member cyclicly, means for supporting said pickup arm and arranged to swing the arm including a 1'0- tatable member connected to the arm and extending through the frame and adjacent the slidable member, a first lever rotatably supported by said rotatable member and a second lever carried and held against relative rotatable movement by said rotatable member and spring means connecting said levers, said slide member having a projection for engagement with the second lever to rotate the same, said rotational movement being communicated to the first rotatable lever through said spring, and means disposed in the path of the first rotatable lever to limit the movement thereof, said other second lever adapted to be moved by said slide member and to swing said pickup arm beyond the confines of the turntable and upon being released by the slide memher, said spring means adapted to swing said second lever and said pickup arm back toward the first rotatable lever, and means on the second lever adapted upon contact with the first rotatable lever to terminate the swinging movement and to index the position of the pickup arm for the start of the playing of a record.

8. In a mechanism of the class described having a frame, a turntable rotatably carried by the frame, a pickup arm for reproducing records on the turntable, means for supporting records above the turntable and including means for 4 placing records on the turntable in playing-position; means for raising, swinging, and lowering the pickup arm in timed relation to the deposition of records on the turntable comprising a member slidably supported below the turntable, means for moving said member cyclicly to cause the slidable member to efiect the record changing function, means for supporting said pickup arm and arranged to swing the arm including a rotatable sleeve connected to the arm and extending downward through the frame and near the slidable member, a first lever rotatably supported by said rotatable sleeve and a second lever carried and held against relative rotatable movement by said rotatable sleeve and spring means connecting said levers, said slide member having a projection for engagement with the second lever to rotate the same, said rotational movement being communicated to the first rotatable lever through said spring, and means disposed in the path of the first rotatable lever to limit the movement thereof, said second lever adapted to be contacted by said slide member and to be moved by said slide member and to swing said pickup arm beyond the confines of the turntable and said second lever upon being released by the slide member said spring means adapted to swing said lever and said pickup arm back toward the first rotatable lever, and means on the second lever adapted upon contact with the first rotatable lever to terminate the swinging movement and to index the position of the pickup arm for the start of the playing of a record, said stop means for the first rotatable lever being adjustable to stop the lever in different positions to index the pickup arm for ten inch or twelve inch records.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, having a rotatable spindle and a turntable thereon, a pickup arm for reproducing records rotated by the turntable, means for supporting records in position to be deposited on the turntable; means for moving the pickup arm in properly timed relation to the deposition of the records and for causing the deposition of said records comprising a member slidably supported below the turntable and having an eccentric wheel carried thereby adapted for driven engagement with said spindle, said wheel being normally out of engagement with said spindle, a cam member carried by said eccentric wheel and a spring connected to the movable member for moving the eccentric wheel into engagement with said spindle, a pawl supported by the slidable member and engageable with the cam to hold the cam against movement by the spring, a linkage connected to said pickup arm and movable by the pickup arm to release said pawl from looking engagement with said cam to cause said eccentric wheel to be moved into engagement with said spindle.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, having a rotatable spindle and a turntable thereon, a pickup arm for reproducing records rotated by the turntable, means for supporting records in position to be deposited on the turntable; means for moving the pickup arm in properly timed relation to the deposition of the records and for causing the deposition of said records comprising a member movably supported below the turntable and having an eccentric wheel carried thereby adapted for driven engagement with said spindle, said wheel being normally out of engagement with said spindle. a cam member connected to said eccentric wheel and a spring connected to the cam and the movable member for moving said cam and the eccentric wheel into engagement with said spindle, a pawl supported by the movable member and engageable with the cam to hold the cam against movement by the spring, said spindle having a lug extending therefrom and rotatable therewith, a'linkage controlled by the pickup arm to be moved into the path of the lug on said spindle and said lug on said spindle adapted to engage said linkageand move said linkage into engagement with said pawl to move said pawl to cause said cam to be released from its indexed position and to urge said eccentric wheel into driving engagement with said spindle.

11. In an apparatus of the class described having a supporting frame. a turntable and means to rotate the same, a pickup arm for playing records on said turntable, means for supporting a stack of records above said tumtable including a stationary member for holding the records at their centers and a second member for supporting the records at their edges, said side support having means for engaging the edge of the bottom record of the stack to dislodge the record from the center and side supports and the center support having guiding means for guiding records onto said turntable, a support for said pickup arm and a push rod for raising and lowering the pickuparm and a sleeve connected to said arm for swinging said arm; means for moving the pickup arm and operating the ejector means in properly timed relation for changing a record comprising'a lever fixedly secured to said sleeve and a second lever rotatably disposed on said sleeve adjacent said first lever, one of said levers having a lug for engagement with the other lever to limit their relative movement in one direction, and a spring connecting said levers to each other, one of said levers adapted to be moved by the sleeve and the other by reason of said spring connection, means for effecting the movements'of the pickup arm and ejector mechanism in proper timed relation to effect the playing and changing of the record including a slidable member supported by the frame below the turntable and having a cam for cooperation with said push rod to raise and lower the pickup arm upon longitudinal movement of said slide, a second cam on said slide engageable with said first lever to move the lever in one direction only and index means connected to and controlled by said record support to limit the movement of the second lever, said second lever adapted to be stopped by said index means and said first lever adapted to be swung by said slide against the tension of said spring to swing the pickup arm beyond the edge of the turntable, said slide'having a third cam and said ejector having a linkage connected thereto and extending for cooperation with said third cam to eject a record from said supports when the pickup arm is moving beyond the edge of the turntable and said spring adapted to return said pickup arm to indexed position determined by said second lever when said first lever is released by said slide, and means connected to said second lever and operable by the pickup arm in the run-out groove of the record to move said eccentric wheel from its normally disengaged position into engagement with driving means for said wheel to cause said wheel to rotate one complete revolution and to move said slide longitudinally during said revolution.

WILLARD J. FAULKNER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No; 2,551,5 5. October 12, 1915.

WILLARD J. mumm- It is hereby certified thaterror appears in the printed specification of the abovenumbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, secand column, line 11,7, for theword "its" read -it--; page 5, first column, line 65, for "being" read --becoming--; page 7, second column, line 61L, for slide read --side; page 8, first column, line 62, claim 2, after "surfaces" insert thereon connected to the pickup arm--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of Dec'ember, A. D. 191$.

7 Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

